England 0-0 Germany: Young England side held to goalless draw by Germans

An inexperienced England side impressed as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Germany at Wembley in an international friendly on Friday evening.

After a number of injuries had plagued Gareth Southgate's side, he named three debutants in his starting line-up, with Jordan Pickford, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham all earning their first senior caps.

Loftus-Cheek is the star

Ruben Loftus-Cheek lit up Wembley with a classy debut in England's draw with Germany

The first half produced a number of entertaining moments, but in front of a crowd of 81, 382 in north London, the second period failed to match it as neither side could produce a goal.

It brings an end to the three-game winning streak for Germany at Wembley and is the first time they have failed to score against England since Euro 2000.

Either side could have taken the lead inside the opening ten minutes.

Jamie Vardy's low drive from the left found Kieran Trippier at the back post, but the Tottenham defender could only smash it onto the side of the net.

Not long after, Leroy Sane did the same at the other end, lashing a fierce drive into the wrong side of the goal.

But it was Germany who saw the best chances for the remainder of the first half, with Sane again involved as he smashed the underside of the crossbar on the 20-minute mark and would have had Pickford beaten if it wasn't for the upright.

Three minutes later, the visitors had three glorious chances. Pickford saved a thundering Timo Warner effort, before Sane's shot was headed clear by Phil Jones near the goal line and Julian Draxler sending the rebound high over the crossbar.

Pickford had a solid senior debut in the England goal and was called into action again in the 39th minute, making a superb save from Werner's low drive.

But England came surging into life in the final five minutes as Abraham saw a shot diverted just wide before Vardy's chip over the head of Marc Andre Ter Stegen was turned behind by Draxler.

England began the second half well and within minutes, Vardy was testing Ter Stegen's reflexes as his header was palmed away by the goalkeeper low at the back post before Mats Hummels was forced to turn a fizzing Eric Dier cross over the bar just before the hour mark.

The remainder of the half passed without much incident, although England could have nicked a victory in the final minute of added time as Jesse Lingard lashed a free-kick from Rashford just over the crossbar after a nod down from Harry Maguire.

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Opta stats

• England and Germany remain on 13 wins against each other in international competition, with the other six games ending in stalemates (P32).
• This was the first goalless draw England have played out at Wembley since October 2010, when they drew 0-0 with Montenegro under Fabio Capello.
• The Three Lions remain unbeaten at Wembley under Gareth Southgate (W5 D2), keeping five clean sheets in seven games.
• After recording eight shots (inc. blocks) and four on target in the first half, Germany managed just one shot off target in the second half.

The managers

Gareth Southgate: "I'm really not surprised by what [the young players] have done because they've shown that previously in other ages and this week in training. There has been an energy about the group.

"It seemed as if there has been loads of pull-outs but actually, it's been really tight and without getting too carried away, I thought the performance was a really encouraging one."

Joachim Low: "Both teams were very good, played in a very good defensive manner with not many counter-attacks. There weren't many chances, but we need to switch between attack and defence better and quicker ahead of the World Cup."

Danny Mills' man of the match - Ruben Loftus-Cheek

He found it difficult at times, but a young lad on his debut, he was confident. He tried a couple of nutmegs and turns, and always wanted the ball. He was England's most creative player, without a shadow of a doubt.

He can provide something a bit different for England. England don't have the creativity that Germany had. Is he similar to Dele Alli? Possibly, but you need options and back-up.

I think he's playing well in a struggling side, remember he hasn't been on the winning side this year yet, because the game Palace won, he was ineligible. Games like tonight, playing against a world class side, will do him the world of good.

What's next?

Both teams are in friendly action again on Tuesday, with England hosting Brazil at Wembley, while Germany welcome France to the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne.

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